[James]

TV's Kate is no joke says mum

15 September 2005

THE mother of TV's Big Brother winner Kate Lawler has defended her daughter in a noisy outburst against media pundit, Piers Morgan.

Sylvia Lawler, from Beckenham, described Kate as a 'natural' after her stand-up routine at the Edinburgh Festival went down a storm and revealed a comedy career may be on the cards.

Mrs Lawler said: "Kate really loved it because performing on stage is something she has always wanted to do.

"She did so much acting when she was a child at Langley Park school and I think the stage is her natural environment."

Kate was given the opportunity to try her luck at Edinburgh after winning a competition organised by former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan.

Mr Morgan attempted to find the most talented reality TV star as part of a documentary he was making for Channel 4 on celebrity culture.

Kate impressed a panel of expert judges, including Jo Brand and Sir Michael Gambon, by re-enacting a Victoria Wood sketch entitled Fattitude.

The star was shocked to hear she had won when told the news by Morgan, who then said she was 'the most talented of the talentless'.

Her mother claimed Kate had been nervous about meeting the former tabloid chief but claims she gave as good as she got.

Sylvia said: "The television show was edited because Kate gave him quite a bit of stick back and they didn't show any of that. I think he ended up quite liking her because she stood up to him and the two of them ended up having quite a good laugh together."

Kate teamed up with a group of Scottish comedians when she arrived at the festival. They helped her write a script that included several of her own jokes.

The 25-year-old then had to overcome her nerves before putting her routine to the test before a live audience.

Sylvia said: "Everyone just fell about laughing after her first joke. From then on she just loved it.

"She was allowed to perform for 30 minutes every evening and, once she had settled down, she didn't want to leave the stage.

The feedback Kate got was really positive and, to be honest, it doesn't surprise me because she is a really funny girl. She is a great mimic and can do lots of different accents."

Kate, who is currently on holiday in Spain with a friend, will now have to decide whether to take her comedy aspirations further or concentrate on her DJ career.

Her mother added: "She really enjoyed doing the Edinburgh festival. Her drama teacher from school was over the moon when he heard about it because, like me, he has always seen her as a performer.

"She is really into being a DJ as well and a lot of people are starting to offer her work now doing that. Kate is a very busy girl and certainly has more talents than the likes of Piers Morgan would give her credit for.

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